Tag: New England Public Media

Industry News

Massachusetts Pubcasters to Merge

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

According to a piece in the Boston Globe, two of Massachusetts’ biggest public media firms are merging. Boston’s GBH and Western Massachusetts-based New England Public Media (NEPM) say the moves is to “expand imglocal journalism across the state.” GBH president Susan Goldberg tells the paper the proposed merger of GBH, NEPM, and Cape and Islands radio station CAI will form “one of the largest and most trusted statewide public media newsroom networks in the Commonwealth.” Goldberg adds, “In a media landscape that is constantly changing, and particularly in the imgwake of federal defunding of public media, we are finding new ways to be as impactful as possible for the communities we serve. Simply put, we are stronger together.” Goldberg tells the Globe they have no plans to reduce staff and are planning to invest in new roles. The story adds, “According to the proposal. NEPM will continue to operate as the primary public media provider in Western Massachusetts, maintaining its studios in Springfield and at the University of Massachusetts. Its brand and programming – including local news, music, and educational shows – will remain in place.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

Longtime WIBC-FM, Indianapolis talk radio host Tony Katz is entering into national syndication via Key Networks, beginning April 22. “Tony Katz Today” will air live Monday through Friday from 12:00 noon to 3:00 pm ET from Urban One’s news/talk WIBC-FM and a weekend program is also available for air on Saturday or Sunday.

iHeartMedia and Charlamagne Tha God’s The Black Effect Podcast Network announces a new original series titled, “Family Therapy: The Podcast,” hosted by psychotherapist Elliott Connie. It will document a family’s journey to healing through live group and individual therapy sessions. President of creative development and production Dollie S. Bishop says, “We are excited to announce ‘Family Therapy: The Podcast’ and share this incredible journey with listeners. Elliott Connie is a brilliant counselor, and our hope is that this series will entertain, educate and empower people to prioritize mental wellbeing and strengthen familial bonds.”

Audacy Podcasts adds a new show from Puck, the new media company focused on putting journalists at the center of its business model, with “Fashion People,” hosted by Lauren Sherman, a leading voice in the fashion community and writer of Puck’s private email “The Line Sheet.”

A new podcast from New England Public Media uses a mix of storytelling, psychological insight, and societal commentary to examine the stories we don’t tell, what they say about our world, and what they do to our minds. “The Secrets We Keep,” is hosted by veteran NEPM reporter Karen Brown and uses the lens of secrets to explore societal taboos and stigmas around sexual orientation, abortion, genetic origins, family scandals, and money – through the voices of secret-keepers, and those kept in the dark.

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

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iHeartMedia chairman & CEO Bob Pittman and COO & CFO Rich Bressler will participate in a question and answer session during the Morgan Stanley Technology, Media & Telecom Conference on Tuesday March 5 at 5:50 pm ET. A live webcast of the session will be available to the public at the start of the session through a link on the Investors homepage of iHeartMedia’s website (https://investors.iheartmedia.com/). A replay of the webcast will be available in the Events & Presentation section of iHeartMedia’s Investors homepage.

New England Public Media’s popular local radio show “The Fabulous 413” celebrates its first anniversary on WFCR-FM, Amherst, Massachusetts “88.5 NEPM.” Program co-host Monte Belmonte says, “I’m not one to generally look back or laud anniversaries, but I’m very proud to be a part of this program that Kaliis [Smith] and I have built with the team over the past year here at NEPM. We originally likened this show to ‘Mr. Rogers’ Neighborhood’ for adults, and I hope we’ve done our best to live up to that lofty goal. And whether you’re working in public media or not, what better role model is there to aspire to than Fred Rogers?”

Public media firm GBH announces a $5 million grant from The Fiducia Fund to support “The Culture Show,” a daily news program shining a spotlight on arts and culture. GBH says the grant, pledged over a five-year period, will allow for the show’s sustainability and expansion to multiple platforms, including streaming on YouTube, a daily podcast, a weekly newsletter, events that include live broadcasts at the GBH Studio at the Boston Public Library, and featured segments on GBH News’ Greater Boston, a daily news program airing on GBH 2, and streaming live on YouTube. GBH president and CEO Susan Goldberg comments, “The arts are vital to a thriving community and ‘The Culture Show’ brings the local arts scene to the forefront for our listeners. This extraordinary commitment from The Fiducia Fund is the largest gift ever dedicated to GBH News. It is invaluable to ensuring we can continue to expand our coverage of the arts.”

Industry News

TALKERS News Notes

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OutKick announces that FOX News contributor, New York Times best-selling author and former professional wrestler, Tyrus, a.k.a. George Murdoch, joins the platform to host the new show, “Maintaining with Tyrus.” The first episode launches on February 1 featuring a sit-down with talk TV host Piers Morgan, followed by interviews with Wolf of Wall Street inspiration Jordan Belfort, and “How America Works” host Mike Rowe.

ESPN is expanding the reach of its ESPN podcast offerings starting January 29 as ESPN2 will televise an ESPN video podcast every weekday from 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm ET. The premiering lineup will include: “First Draft,” “The Hoop Collective,” “The Lowe Post,” “The Mina Kimes Show” and “The Elle Duncan Show.” Mike Foss, ESPN SVP, production says, “This strategic content initiative provides our ESPN podcasts with a tremendous opportunity for continued growth and audience expansion, while simultaneously lending compelling content to our ESPN2 television lineup.”

New England Public Media promotes Elizabeth Román to managing editor – daily and digital news. NEPM says, “Although her title did not dramatically change, her responsibilities have evolved and Román will now be taking the lead on delivering daily news programming on the radio, NEPM website and social media channels.” Román says, “As a lifelong Springfield resident and Western Massachusetts native. I’m excited to continue working with our skilled news department to bring you even more stories that highlight the needs, concerns and successes of the people living and working in this community.”

Cumulus Media’s Westwood One is presenting play-by-play coverage of this weekend’s NFL Conference Championships presented by lead sponsor Intuit Turbo Tax. Doubleheader coverage begins with the pregame show at 2:00 pm ET on Sunday before the Kansas City Chiefs and the Baltimore Ravens meet for the AFC Championship game and the Detroit Lions battle the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Championship game.

Industry News

Western Massachusetts Public Radio Outlet Goes News/Talk All Day

By TALKERS | by TALKERS

In a move that’s happened at public radio outlets in markets across the country, New England Public Media’s WFCR-FM, Amherst Massachusetts is dropping the classical music that’s aired during middays and is adding news and talk programs including national shows “1A,” “On Point” and “Fresh Air,” in addition to expanded localim news programming. The company is launching a classical network that will air on five signals in the region as well as online. NEPM president Matt Abramovitz says, “These moves position NEPM to better serve western Massachusetts with journalism and conversations that create connections across our wonderfully diverse communities. That investment in local storytelling will also fuel upcoming multi-platform initiatives to reach new, diverse audiences. At the same time, we are bringing a full-time classical service to the region.”